Joe Dunne reiterated that his only focus is what is happening on the pitch as speculation lingers about who will take over at the Abbey on a full-time basis.

There’s been a swell of support for the interim head coach after a string of good results – in which the U’s have picked up 11 points out of a possible 18 – and entertaining performances.

But, when asked if he was going to chuck his hat into the ring full time, Dunne said that his bobble hat was staying firmly on his head.

“This bobble hat is staying firmly on my head at the moment,” he said.

“I’ve got to stay with the short term, you’ve got to keep doing it.

“My messages to the players have got to be intense and specific to what we want each game.

“I know a lot of people probably want answers but the mini-success we’re obviously having at the moment will have to continue.

"I just want to stay focused on that if I can and try and get the players to be maximized. My focus has always been on the players and on the team and it always will be.

“Whatever happens, happens, that’s somewhere down the line and for other people to decide.

“I’ve just got to take care of what I can control and at the moment I can only control what we get on the pitch.

"Everyone is united at the moment to support the team and the team are trying to work for the supporters also and I just want to focus on that."

Another question that has popped up is about players coming to the end of their contracts.

And while Dunne said that he had been in communication with the likes of Ben Strang – head of football – about things like contracts, he added that it isn’t something which is currently weighing too heavily on player’s minds.